While a new name for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has finally been announced, many patients remain sceptical that a title change can undo years of medical dismissal and neglect.
Following 14 years of dedicated campaigning, the condition will now be known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). This shift aims to acknowledge the wide-ranging 'metabolic consequences' that affect the entire body, not just the ovaries. It is hoped that the rebrand will unlock the funding and research necessary to improve long-term health outcomes for the one in eight UK women living with the condition.
Despite the rebranding, the road to a diagnosis remains a hurdle. Within the NHS, gynaecology waiting lists are among the longest for elective care. While the official 'non-urgent' target is 18 weeks, reality often means a wait of six to 12 months, just for an initial consultation.
Global data suggests it takes an average of four years to get a formal diagnosis. A report by the PCOS All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) highlighted prolonged delays in diagnosis, fragmented care, limited access to treatments, and a toxic 'blame culture' that leaves women in pain.
Symptoms include acne, excessive hair growth and loss, irregular periods or weight gain. It can impact reproductive, metabolic and mental health, and can increase the risk of long-term health problems such as type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Alex Allan, 55, a nutritionist and PCOS hormone expert, was diagnosed at 22 after gaining three stone in a single year. She was met with the same dismissive advice many women still hear today.
She told the Mirror: 'They took my bloods and gave me a scan then told me I had PCOS and that I ate too much. It was so horrible to be told that, I had no understanding of what it was and why it was happening to me. I was basically told I was going to be infertile and I was absolutely devastated.'
'There is a lot of blame culture particularly for women who are overweight, and it's because of the hormonal imbalances which causes the weight gain. Yet often women are told to lose weight and then go back to their doctor when they want to have a baby. Eating less and moving more doesn't really work for PCOS.'
Alex welcomes the shift to PMOS, noting that the old name led doctors to focus solely on periods while ignoring the complex hormonal web. She said: 'I think this new name change is good because there's going to hopefully be much more training for healthcare providers and they might take it a little more seriously if you have other symptoms they may not be aware of. It feels like finally across the board the condition is being taken more seriously.'
Now she hopes more information will be provided for women who are helplessly looking for answers and struggling to get a diagnosis. Opening up the PCOS Clinic, Alex noted: 'I usually advise women to familiarise themselves with a diagnostic criteria so they can be well armed when they go to their GP. The information you get today isn't much different to what I got told in the 90s and something needs to change.'
'People are still given the same advice as me, given the pill and told to lose weight. Maybe some GPs aren't familiar with PCOS, everyone is doing the best they can, but if you are not necessarily familiar with the condition, this could help women get their much-needed diagnosis.'
'I think younger women are much more health literate these days too, and are able to request more information and the change in name of the condition is only going to help this even more. It's 2026 and women are finally starting to be taken more seriously when it comes to health, I'm pleased to see this movement.'
For Georgina Ricks, 35, from Surrey, the condition cast a shadow over her teenage years. By 16, the active and healthy teenager found herself struggling with abnormal periods, facial hair growth, and unexplained weight gain.
Describing her experiences, the 35-year-old told Daily Mirror: 'All of my teens I was just very inflamed and always struggled with my weight. I had no self-esteem, I had hair growth on my chin and dermatitis on my skin. I never had acne, but I was just covered in red rashes.'
The misinformation led to years of disordered eating and anxiety. When she finally visited a doctor about her weight and irregular periods, she was simply told by a doctor to 'lose weight' and was put on the contraceptive pill to try and regulate her painful menstrual cycle.
Georgina said: 'I remember leaving the doctors in tears. Being told so young I needed to lose weight gave me a lot of trauma that I kind of still carry with me today. I didn't get any help with my PCOS symptoms.'
'It completely took over my life for many years and made me feel worthless, lost, confused, frustrated and alone. I lost myself along the way and many times I just wanted to just give up and accept I'd never be happy in my own skin. Being handed the pill like it was a quick fix.'
'I was also told I'd never get pregnant by multiple doctors which also ruined me. I was suffering with my body image for years, cutting out bread, waking up at 4am and running more than ever trying to lose weight and always avoiding photos. It was taking over.'
'To have all of those thoughts and still be told by a doctor to lose weight was not the right advice to give to a young girl. I think it's wild that this is still happening today.'
Suffering with PCOS for most of her vital years of growing up, Georgina is glad to see the condition is becoming more widely spoken about, especially with the change of name. She said: 'I think it's good because it's become a lot more inclusive for women. It's not just an ovaries condition it's the entire body and metabolism, your moods and everything.'
'But I think it's going to become even more confusing now because it's going to take even longer. We're just getting into a movement where people are starting to talk about it more. But I think even with the change in name, it's going to take a long long time before we do see anything happen.'
Since her experiences took over her life, Georgina made it her mission to help other women who may be struggling. Now a qualified nutritionist and PCOS coach, she has advised thousands of women on the nutrition and lifestyle changes that have also helped her.
Posting advice on her Instagram under the name @itsapcosparty, Georgina hopes she can inspire others and share advice on the condition. 'I want women to realise they can help fix their bodies with the right nutrition, exercise and lifestyle. I have created an app where women can track their cycles, follow recipes, workouts and hormone balance information on.'
